Humans in All Heavens: Starting with Detective Dee

"Three years ago? What happened to him?"

"Three years ago... three years ago..." Di Renjie kept repeating these words.

"Three years ago?" Suddenly his eyes lit up, as if he had thought of something.

"What could have happened to the governor of Youzhou three years ago that would make him unable to serve as governor, and cause the rebels to find someone to impersonate him?"

Liu Jin? Was Liu Jin arrested in Youzhou three years ago?

Disguise? Could he be Liu Jin?

Once Di Renjie understood this, he suddenly looked at Zhou Yi and said, "Di Chun, your words have truly given me great inspiration."

As he spoke, he stroked his beard with a smile on his face.

The excitement of finally figuring out a problem that had been bothering me for so long is unimaginable.

Suddenly, Di Renjie walked to his desk, picked up his pen, and wrote a document.

He shouted outside, "Someone come here!"

"My lord." A guard from the Imperial Guards outside the door heard the commotion and immediately came in.

"Take this document and send it by express courier, six hundred li away, to Lord Zhang Jianzhi in Chang'an as quickly as possible."

Remember, this is a secret between you and everyone else. Don't tell anyone. Go quickly and come back quickly.

Di Renjie stepped forward and handed the document in his hand to the Imperial Guard.

"Yes, sir."

After the Thousand Bull Guards left.

Di Renjie sat down again: "The situation is now basically clear."

This so-called Zhen Fangqian is most likely Liu Jin, a senior advisor to the King of Yue.

Ten years ago, after the rebellion of the King of Yue, he escaped by chance, and with the list in his hands, he obtained the position of governor of Youzhou.

He was arrested by the Imperial Guard in Youzhou three years ago, but he happened to be wearing a human skin mask at the time.

That's why they couldn't find out that he was Fang Qian, the governor of Youzhou.

Those in the rebellious faction worried that the court would send a new prefect, so they found someone to impersonate him.

I have now led my troops to break through Xiaolianzi Mountain, and the rebel party's stronghold has been destroyed.

Unwilling to accept defeat, he allowed Liu Jin, who had been rescued, to return as the real Fang Qian.

They figured I'd reinstate this so-called Zhen Fangqian, didn't they?"

"Unfortunately, they did not expect that the master would quickly deduce their scheme and also discover the true identity of Fang Qian."

"Sir, you are truly a divine being!" Zhou Yi stepped forward and flattered him.

"Haha, Di Chun, there's no need for this formality between us, is there?" Di Renjie said with a smile.

After saying that, a hint of doubt appeared on his face.

"But where is this so-called leader of the rebel party, Jin Mulan?"

Who exactly is she?

And where are her traitors?

Lost in thought, Di Renjie turned his gaze to Zhou Yi beside him again: "Di Chun, what are your thoughts?"

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yi mustered his courage and looked at Di Renjie: "Sir, do you really not know who Jin Mulan is?"

"this……"

These words gave Di Renjie a jolt.

Yes, with Di Renjie's wise mind, accurate analysis, and precise judgment, could he really not figure out who the so-called leader of the rebel party, Jin Mulan, was?

Is it that they genuinely can't think of a solution, or that they're unwilling to think of one?

Or perhaps they've already figured it out, but deep down they desperately hope it's not that person, deceiving themselves by trying to cover for that person.

After pondering for a long time, Di Renjie relaxed and said, "Di Chun, you're right. I should be able to figure out who that person is."

As he spoke, he walked to the bedside and looked at the scenery outside.

"What do you think I should do? She is a descendant of Emperor Taizong, and I still can't believe that a descendant of Emperor Taizong could do something like colluding with foreign tribes and harming the people."

This shows Li Shimin's prestige; even decades after his death, Di Renjie still remembered him fondly.

They keep mentioning being descendants of Emperor Taizong.

"Master, this kind of thing must be dealt with swiftly and decisively."

She was the leader of the rebel party, attempting to rebel. If the plot were exposed, the emperor would inevitably implicate a large number of princes and nobles surnamed Li.

The emperor was just worried about not having an opportunity to deal with those people.

If you try to protect her alone, you will only harm more people.

Moreover, she still has that rebel army under her command; she probably won't give up the rebellion so easily.

Di Renjie was well aware of this, but his mind would go blank whenever the words "Emperor Taizong" were mentioned.

I'm unwilling to do that.

However, Zhou Yi's words do make sense. After a long sigh, he said, "What you say makes sense."

If something happens to her, not only those princes surnamed Li, but even the crown prince will be implicated.

The emperor was just looking for an opportunity to depose his son, Wu Sansi, and install him as the new crown prince.

Speaking of this, Di Renjie thought of the Crown Prince again, even though Wu Zetian was currently sitting on the throne.

But the crown prince is Li Xian, and his surname is Li. Once the emperor dies, the throne will naturally return to the descendants of Emperor Taizong.

Therefore, Di Renjie was different from those who had always tried to overthrow Wu Zetian by force. He was loyal to the Li Tang dynasty but wanted to pass the throne to the Li family through a peaceful transfer.

Wu Zetian was well aware of this, which is why, despite Di Renjie's loyalty to the Tang Dynasty, he was given important responsibilities by her.

Having figured this out, Di Renjie's mind cleared again: "By the way, Di Chun, what brings you here?"

"Oh, sir, is that so..." He recounted what Hu Jinghui had just done by probing him.

"Jinghui, what a pity..." Di Renjie sighed again. To be honest, he still had a lot of feelings for Hu Jinghui and didn't want him to do anything wrong.

But the facts were undeniable, and he had no choice but to reveal Hu Jinghui's true identity.

It was impossible to keep Hu Jinghui by Wu Zetian's side any longer.

After all, he was loyal to Wu Zetian.

……

A few days later, the urgent dispatch from Chang'an arrived in Youzhou.

Di Renjie took it and saw that it contained the previous resume of Fang Qian, the governor of Youzhou.

Seeing that the place where Fang Qian had served as an official was clearly written on it, his identity was further confirmed.

Outside the main hall of the Grand Commander's Mansion, Fang Qian was summoned by Di Renjie.

Over the course of several days, Di Renjie made no move, leading Di Renjie to mistakenly believe that he had gained Di Renjie's trust.

He arrived at the main hall of the Grand Commander's Mansion without any preparation, thinking that Di Renjie was going to reinstate him to his original position.

"Lord Di has arrived."

Fang Qian, who was drinking tea at the stone table outside the main hall, quickly stood up.

"My lord," Fang Qian stepped forward with a smile.

Di Renjie stared at him, turning his head back and forth, feeling a little uneasy.

"Lord Fang has only recently returned from the capital; perhaps he's still adjusting?"

"What are you talking about, sir? What capital city?" Fang Qian was startled, but remained calm and composed.

Li Yuanfang and Hu Jinghui were both taken aback.

"Didn't Lord Fang just return from the capital?"

"This humble servant does not understand what you mean, sir."

"Don't understand? Then I'll just say it directly."

"Jinghui, you probably don't know who this Lord Fang in front of you is, do you?" Di Renjie looked at Hu Jinghui thoughtfully.

Suppressing his inner panic, Hu Jinghui cupped his hands and asked, "What does Your Excellency mean?"